Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALGUSWHA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALGUSWHA’, particularly characterized by white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, concave flower shape in lateral view, a compact plant, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALGUSWHA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALGUSWHA’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with white flowers and greenish-yellow and white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALGUSWHA’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in April 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘PHALCARDOK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,447) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘23312-03’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in February 2013. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2014 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Sep. 23, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2390), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALGUSWHA’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALGUSWHA’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) White flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is concave; and     -   3) Plant is compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in September 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHALGUSWHA’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALGUSWHA’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALGUSWHA’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALGUSWHA’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in September 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALGUSWHA’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALCARDOK’ (U.S.             Plant Pat. No. 25,447).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘23312-03’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something between RHS 190B             and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having             yellow-green (something in between RHS 144A and 144B) with a             hint of dark purplish-red (RHS N79B) colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Following asexual             propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24             weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are             finished after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with raceme and panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 49.0 cm to 54.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 24.0 cm to 26.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 7 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 12.0 cm             to 14.0 cm. Width: 5.5 cm to 6.5 cm. Position of the             broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.             Base shape: Moderately to slightly elongated. Apex:             Emarginated unequal. Leaf blade angle with the petiole             (measured from the horizontal position): Between 15 degrees             and 30 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface:             RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B with a touch of RHS N77A.             Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness:             2.3 mm to 2.8 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern:             Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A.             Lower surface: RHS 146B with a touch of RHS N77A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—7 to 10.         -   Length.—49.0 cm to 54.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200B) and green (RHS 146C).         -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 160.0 mm to             200.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 80.0 mm to 85.0 mm. Diameter: 90.0 mm to             95.0 mm. Depth of lip: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 12 weeks.         -   Flower shape.—Concave.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 28.0 mm to             30.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a touch of diluting             purplish-red (RHS N77B).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from             base to tip): 43.0 mm to 45.0 mm. Width: 54.0 mm to 56.0 mm.             Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.             Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White             (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Very light purple             midvein (RHS 76B) and hint of light yellow-green (RHS 145D)             at the middle. Number of spots and stripes on the petals             (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the             petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting             of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting             (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 45.0 mm to             47.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).             Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Hint of light purple (something in             between RHS 76A and 76B) and yellow-green (RHS 145A). Number             of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface):             None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting: Not             applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 46.0 mm to             48.0 mm. Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Position of the broadest             part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS             NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (something in             between RHS 145C and 145D) at the base. Lower surface: Basic             color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green             (RHS 145C); diluting dark purplish-red midvein (RHS N79C)             toward the tip. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral             sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on             the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Density of netting             of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 28.0             mm to 30.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Yellow (RHS 9A) at the             base; white (RHS NN155C) with greenish-yellow tips (RHS 6B).             Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.             Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm.             Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Greenish-yellow (something in between RHS 151B and 5A)             toward margin on one side; white (RHS NN155C) toward the             margin on the other side. Lower surface: Greenish-yellow             (something in between RHS 151B and 5A) toward margin on one             side; white (RHS NN155C) toward the margin on the other             side. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe (upper             surface): Few stripes at the base. Color of spots and             stripes on the lateral lobe (upper surface): RHS 178A and             165C. Density of netting of the lateral lobe (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not             applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 21.0             mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Color: Upper             surface: Red margin (RHS 178A) at the base; greenish-yellow             (something in between RHS 151B and 1A) toward wings; white             (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Red margin (RHS             178A) at the base; greenish-yellow (something in between RHS             151B and 1A) toward wings; white (RHS NN155C) toward             whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:             None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not             applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None.             Color of the netting: Not applicable.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm.             Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color:             Yellow (RHS 15A); dotted (RHS 175A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:             Orange (RHS 24A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm to 2.4             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to             2.8 mm. Texture: Smooth. Color: Hint of light brown (RHS             200C); yellow-green (RHS 145C) and very light purple (RHS             76C) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALGUSWHA’ differs from the female parent plant ‘PHALCARDOK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,447) in that ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has smaller flowers and shorter leaves than ‘PHALCARDOK’.

‘PHALGUSWHA’ differs from male parent plant ‘23312-03’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has rounded petal apexes, whereas ‘23312-03’ has emarginated petal apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has shorter leaves than ‘23312-03’.

‘PHALGUSWHA’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALGUSWHA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has shorter and narrower leaves than ‘PHALFOWIC’.

‘PHALGUSWHA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALGUSWHA’ has smaller flowers and shorter and narrower leaves than ‘PHALFUBNE’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALGUSWHA’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 